Serena Williams wins Miami Open, Rafael Nadal loses

Serena Williams of the United States shakes hands at the net after her straight set victory against Catherine Bellis of the United States in their third round match during the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 29, 2015 in Key Biscayne, Fla. Photo Credit: Getty Images / Clive Brunskill

The precocious Bellis made headlines by winning a match at last year's U.S. Open, but she couldn't stay with the world's No. 1 player. Williams won 51 of the 65 points and lost only two points in seven service games.

Bellis managed to smile afterward despite the drubbing.

"I was pretty nervous," she said. "I didn't know how my game would hold up against her, because I have never played her before. Never really seen her in person, just on TV.

"I mean, she's my idol; she's from America; she's No. 1 in the world; she's the best of all time. It's pretty scary playing her."

Nadal beat Verdasco the first 13 times they played but has now lost to him twice in a row. Nadal dealt with several health issues in 2014 and said that while he's fully recovered, he hasn't regained his confidence.

"It's a question of being relaxed enough to play well," the 14-time Grand Slam champion said. "I'm still playing with too much nerves for a lot of moments, in important moments, still playing a little bit anxious in those moments.

"But I'm going to fix it -- I don't know if in one week, in six months, or in one year, but I'm going to do it."

The Key Biscayne draw was already without Roger Federer, who skipped the tournament. Four-time champion Novak Djokovic and two-time champion Andy Murray are now heavy favorites to make the final.

In other women's play, two-time champion Victoria Azarenka lost to No. 15 Flavia Pennetta 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6). Azarenka, mounting a comeback from injuries, was playing at Key Biscayne for the first time since 2012.

Williams withdrew before the semifinals at Indian Wells, citing an ailing right knee, but hardly had to run against Bellis.

The teenager, who had never played in such a large arena, appeared to be overwhelmed and overpowered from the start. But then at 5-6, she was smaller -- and perhaps younger -- than some of the ballkids.

Williams shared the crowd's subdued mood, forgoing her customary fist pumps and other demonstrative gestures as she blasted winners. She hit 13 to only one by Bellis, who is the world's top-ranked junior and still an amateur.